Do Not Sell My Personal Information
Celtic: Craig Gordon emerges as transfer target for Huddersfield ahead of potential summer switch
Celtic goalkeeper Craig Gordon has been attracting interest from the English Championship, according to a report in the Daily Record.
They claimed that Huddersfield are lining up a potential summer bid for the 37-year-old, with the Terriers set to see two goalkeepers return to their parent clubs, and the Hoops veteran is out of contract at Parkhead at the end of this season.
As noted by the Daily Record, Celtic have not given any indication of offering Gordon a new deal, while the player reportedly asked the club to let him leave in the January transfer window, according to The Scottish Sun.
Gordon has made 242 appearances for Celtic but only six of those have come this season, with two in the Betfred Cup, one in a dead rubber Europa League group game and one in a Champions League tie when the Hoops already had a 5-0 first leg lead (as per TransferMarkt).
He has been forced to watch on as the on-loan Fraser Forster excelled with crucial penalty saves against Rangers in the Betfred Cup final and FC Copenhagen last week, as well as producing a stunning injury time save from Danilo Cataldi to ensure victory over Lazio at Parkhead in October. The Southampton loanee has conceded only 23 goals in 35 games this season (0.66 per game) and kept 15 clean sheets (42.86% of games) in cementing his status as undisputed first choice under Neil Lennon.
Celtic also recently welcomed Scott Bain back into the fold, the 29-year-old returning to action in the Scottish Cup win over Clyde for his first appearance in six months since breaking his thumb last year.
Gordon’s desire to play regularly elsewhere is understandable, while it wouldn’t seem overly drastic by Celtic to let a 37-year-old player leave upon expiry of his contract. However, they could be playing with fire if they allow the veteran out the door in the summer without ensuring that they have adequate depth in the position.
Forster is due to return to Southampton at the end of the season once his loan expires, while Bain has been sidelined for a long time. Young goalkeepers Conor Hazard and Ross Doohan are on loan at Dundee and Ayr respectively, with the former making just one Hoops appearance and the latter never representing the first team.
Unless a permanent deal for Forster can be arranged, Gordon’s departure would leave Celtic very light on seasoned goalkeeping options, so it is imperative that they address the position as a matter of urgency before allowing the latter to simply run down his contract.
Celtic fans, should the club try to keep Gordon or can they afford to let him leave if they have an adequate replacement lined up? Comment below with your views!
